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Three lovely Texans' fans smiling after a Texans' win over the SF49ers. — Three lovely Texans’ fans all smiles after a Texans 23-10 win over the 49ers.

Houston Texans quarterbacks Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett and Tom Savage, already ranked one, two and three in the eyes of many eyes showcased their talents in a 23-10 victory over the San Francisco at NRG Stadium as three quarterbacks vied for starting position in the season opener in the midst of 71,400 fans.

The Texans started with Hoyer. He was in and out but, he went straight into action promptly with a 58-yard pass to wide receiver Cecil Shorts III. He continued with a two-point conversion to DeAndre Hopkins. Texans lead the first quarter 8-0. Hoyer finished 2 for 4 with 67 yards.

The 49ers got on the board in the second quarter with a 10-yard pass from back-up quarterback Blaine Gabbert, followed by the extra point from kicker, Phil Dawson. The game, a one-point difference, between the teams, 7-8, with a Texans’ lead

Late in the second quarter, Dawson puts up three for the 49ers with a 37-yard field goal. The 49ers get the lead, closing out the second quarter 10-8.

Mallett took over through the half and came up short when it came to scoring. At one point the ball was moved all the way to the 1-yard line. The Texans had eight plays to take it into the end-zone. But just couldn’t make it. It was a serious ball-stall.

Mallett finished his preseason opener with 10 of 11 for 90 yards and eight-pass completion.

Like Hoyer, Savage made his way to the scoreboard. He landed a 10-yard pass to wide receiver, Jaleen Strong in the third quarter. Texans up 15-10. Two more points were added by safety, Jason Ankrah as he stopped Gabbert in the endzone. Houston leads 17-10.

Fourth quarter scoring was left solely to the Texans. Kicker Randy Bullock does what he does best. He put up two field goals. One was for 41-yards; the other for 39-yards with 6:47 remaining in the game. Final score 23-10, gives the Texans a win it the pre-season opener.

The answer is still in the air, somewhat on who will be the Texans’ leading quarterback. What is for sure from the mouth of Coach Bill O’Brien is that Mallett will start the next preseason against Denver on August 23 at NRG Stadium.

Texans’ fan, Michael Moore, says that he is picking Hoyer for the top spot. “He’s the best. The Texans got him in and he played only a short time. This means, they know what he can do. Also, they don’t want him to get hurt. The others, (Mallet and Savage) have to prove themselves,” he said.

Moore could be right in a sense, since Mallet is starting next week. Mallet does know that he will have to put some points on the board. If not, then the contest starts again between Hoyer and Savage and not among the three.

sheilarayreed@houstonsun.com

Community, News

Xi Alpha Omega Donates 180 Pounds of Food to Fight Hunger

Image April 21, 2015 Thelma Johnson Leave a comment

Members of the “Family Strengthening” committee who participated are: Sitting-Delores, Stephanie Trouillier Johnson, Brian Fox, Priest, Our Mother of Mercy Church, Jackie Davis Gilmore, chapter vice president, Be’Atrice Randall and Carolyn Woodard; Standing-Thelma Johnson, Gwen Allen, Victoria McClain, Gayle Brown and Ruth Ferguson

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Alpha Omega Chapter’s Family Strengthening Program donated more than 180 pounds of food to Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church’s St. Vincent de Paul Pantry in the Fifth Ward Community on April 17, 2015.

Under the direction of Jackie Davis Gilmore, vice-president, Stephanie Trouillier Johnson, Be’Atrice Randall and Cerendy Sias, chair and co-chairs respectively, ten members of the committee spent four hours packaging and distributing food to those in need.

The chapter targeted a critical issue facing many families today, the lack of food. As a result, a food drive was held during the March meeting. “No one should have to go to bed hungry; we want to fill pantries and enrich lives,” Davis Gilmore, vice-president, said.

The reality, according to Target Hunger, is that hunger in Houston is an everyday problem – not just a holiday season issue. Many of our neighbors experience difficulty making ends meet every day.

“I believe that food drives, such as ours, support community pantries to meet the needs of the community. We are happy to be that source,” Trouillier Johnson, committee chairman, said.

Xi Alpha Omega’s community hunger initiative was launched in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul Pantry staff and Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church. Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (or “Vincentians” ) are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to individuals in need. They are young and old, and their members come in every shade of skin color. All believe they are blessed with an awareness that their blessings (time, talent or treasure) are to be shared with brothers and sisters who are in need.

Committee members present included: Gayle Brown, Delores Johnson, Victoria McClain, Ruth Ferguson, Carolyn Woodard, Gwen Allen and Thelma Johnson, along with Gilmore, Trouillier Johnson and Randall.

“As Alpha Kappa Alpha members, we are humbled to give of our time, talents and treasures through our International Program, “Family Strengthening”, to help the less fortunate, and we are honored to be a partner in fighting hunger,” Davis Gilmore said.

News, Sports

2015 SWAC basketball playoff action at Toyota Center

Image March 9, 2015 Sheila Ray Reed Leave a comment

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) will swing into action on Tuesday, March 10 at the Houston Toyota Center with both Texas Southern University (TSU) men’s and women’s teams holding the top bracket spots.

Texas Southern University senior, Madarious Gibbs 3# will play his last game as a TSU Tiger in the 2015 SWAC championship.

The Texas Southern men won 11 of their last 12 games to finish 16-12 in league. Overall they landed 19-12. TSU will face the winner of Alcorn State (5-25, 4-14 SWAC) and Grambling State (2-16, 0-18 SWAC) in the last quarterfinal game of the day on Wednesday, March 11, at 8:30p.m.

Alabama State University (18-9), 14-4 SWAC) defeated Jackson State University (11-20, 9-9 SWAC) to secure the No.2 seed. The will take on No. 7 seed Mississippi Valley State University (6-25, 5-13 SWAC) Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.

On Thursday, No. 3 Southern University (16-16, 15-5 SWAC) will face No. 6 Alabama A&M (9-19, 8-10 SWAC) at 2:30 p.m. Then No. 4 Prairie View A&M University (14-17, 12-6 SWAC) against No. 5 Jackson State University in the final quarter matchup at 8:30 p.m.

After finishing the season tied, The TSU Lady Tigers (19-10, 16-2 SWAC) split the regular season title with Southern (18-10, 16-2 SWAC), and edged past in the tiebreaker for the No.1 seed. TSU lost only one game after a 15-game win streak heading into the tournament.

They will take on the winner of the Alabama A&M (6-23, 5-13 SWAC) and Mississippi Valley (4-25, 2-16 SWAC) on Wednesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. As the No. 2 seed, Southern faces No. 7 Grambling (10-19, 7-11 SWAC) at noon.

Day two of the women’s tournament pits No. 3 Jackson State (13-16, 10-8 SWAC) vs. No. 6 Alcorn State (10-17, 9-9 SWAC) in the first header at noon on Thursday. In the second game, No. 4 Alabama State (14-14, 10-8 SWAC) takes on No. 5 Prairie View (13-17, 10-8 SWAC) at 6p.m.

The 2015 SWAC tournament will open Tuesday, March 10, with a doubleheader, beginning with the No. 8 Alabama A&M women against Mississippi Valley at 6 p.m. and ending with the No. 8 Alcorn State men taking on no. 9 Grambling State.

The semifinal game will take place on Friday, March 13 at noon and 6 p.m. with the championship broadcasting live on ESPN3 at 2 p.m.

News, Sports

Basketball trailblazer Earl Lloyd passes at 86

Image February 27, 2015 Sheila Ray Reed Leave a comment

Basketball trailblazer, Earl “Bigcat” Lloyd the first African American ever to play in the NBA (National Basketball Association) passed away on Thursday at the age 86. Lloyd made his debut in 1950 for the Washington Capitals. During the same year three other black players were drafted by the NBA but Lloyd was the first one to make it to the court.

NBA's first African American player Earl Lloyd played for nine seasons passed away February 26 at age 89. — NBA’s first African American player Earl Lloyd played for nine seasons passed away February 26 at age 89.

Known for his defense, Lloyd was selected in the ninth-round of the 1950 draft. He played for nine seasons in the NBA. His first game was on October 31, 1950 against the Rochester Royals. He only had a seven game stretch with the Washington Capitals before the team folded in January of 1951.

He was picked up by the Syracuse Nationals (currently the Philadelphia 76ers) where he spent six seasons. Lloyd went on to play two seasons with the Detroit Pistons in 1958-60 before he retired. He also coached the Pistons in 1971-72 season where he was 22-55 and the first nine games in the 1972-73 season.

Lloyd helped the Syracuse Nationals win the 1955 NBA Championship Title. In 2002, he was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Lloyd said he encountered virtually no racist treatment from his teammates and opponents during his time in the NBA. However the spectators were not so tolerant. In a posting on the National Basketball Association website Lloyd solution to dealing with racist audiences was to play harder and ignored them.

“Fans would yell stuff like, ‘Go back to Africa.’ And I’m telling you, you would often hear the N-word. “My philosophy was if they weren’t calling you names, you weren’t doing anything. You made sure they were calling you names, because you were hurting them,” said Lloyd.

The three other African Americans to play in the same season were Chuck Cooper, Nathaniel Clifton and Hank Dezonie.

Entertainment, Lifestyle, News

Hometown fame composer Jason Moran “Holed Up” in Houston

Image January 30, 2015 Sheila Ray Reed Leave a comment

Selma's movie composer, Jason Moran playing it up on his favorite instrument. — Selma’s movie composer, Jason Moran playing it up on his favorite instrument.

If you have seen the critically acclaimed movie, Selma, then you know that the sound track is equally compelling as the film. The arranger of the powerful sound track is composer jazz pianist and native Houstonian Jason Moran. The songs “Bloody Sunday”, “Final Speech” and “Cager Lee” are actually performed by the musical prodigy.

Growing up, Moran’s parents cultivated his musical and artistic talents by enrolling him into various top-notched musical training programs such as the renowned Yelena Kurinets Suzuki Music School where he received classical piano training and the Houston Symphony Young Artist Competition where he showcased his tuneful melodic talent. His artistic gifts broaden even farther into the arts from spending time in museums and galleries.

Now Moran is back in Houston in conjunction with Da Camera of Houston and The Menil Museum where you can see him pay homage to visual artist fellow Texans Robert Rauschenber and his “Holed Up” project. Rauschenber has had a major influence on Moran’s work. This event will be held at the Menil Museum on February 5^th.

In the meantime, Moran is schedule to appear and perform at several events around town starting tonight. The schedule of events is listed below:

Saturday, January 31, 7:00 PM, Eldorado Ballroom: Listening Party with Jason Moran playing and discussing his favorite recordings, co-hosted by Tierney Malone, Homecoming Residency Host Committee member and host of KPFT’s Houston Jazz Spotlight. 2310 Elgin St. Free

Monday, February 2, 9am to Noon Special edition of KPFT’s Houston Jazz Spotlight, featuring an interview with Jason Moran and an extensive selection of his music. Hosted by Tierney Malone. KPFT radio HD-3. kpft.org.

Thursday February 5, 7:00 PM at The Menil Collection:Artists Talk with Jason Moran, Robert Pruitt and Sarah Rothenberg. The creators of “Holed Up” discuss their creative process. Free

Saturday, February 7, 8:00 PM, Cullen Theater, Wortham Center: Tickets required

The Houston Sun